5 May 2022
DNA 9c FA by Seb Bouin
Seb Bouin, who previously has done three 9b/+, reports on Insta that he has done the FA of DNA 9c in Verdon. "I'm happy to have completed this project. After having equipped and discovered it in 2019, tried it for 6 months in 2020, and for 6 months in 2021, I finally managed to clip the belay this spring during my second trip.
I've spent over 150 days in it (close to 200 I think), and tried the route over 250 times.
It's the most challenging project I've ever done. It's the hardest route I've ever tried and climbed in my climbing career. This route marks a milestone in my climbing life." (c) Lena Drapella/Black Diamond
"It is clear that it is a risk to say 9c. There is always the risk that someone will downgrade the route later. Especially with the idea that there is only one more roiute in the world with the same degree. It is difficult to be categorical then. I have never climbed a route that is as difficult as DNA and therefore my degree proposal is 9c, but other climbers must give consensus. That is exactly what makes our sport so wonderful, we do not need judges, we are judges ourselves. It is wonderful but also sensitive in situations like this, at the absolute highest level. That is why I would like other top climbers to come here and test DNA", says Seb.
"It is clear that it is a risk to say 9c. There is always the risk that someone will downgrade the route later. Especially with the idea that there is only one more roiute in the world with the same degree. It is difficult to be categorical then. I have never climbed a route that is as difficult as DNA and therefore my degree proposal is 9c, but other climbers must give consensus. That is exactly what makes our sport so wonderful, we do not need judges, we are judges ourselves. It is wonderful but also sensitive in situations like this, at the absolute highest level. That is why I would like other top climbers to come here and test DNA", says Seb.
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